The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that 2400 truckloads of humanitarian aid have entered the Gaza Strip over the past three days.
In a statement today, OCHA noted that humanitarian supplies and workers are now reaching areas that were previously inaccessible.
Meanwhile, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) announced that Palestinians have begun returning to their homes following the Gaza ceasefire. However, most homes are either completely destroyed or uninhabitable due to the 15-month Israeli war.
On January 19, a ceasefire came into effect in the Gaza Strip. The fighting was suspended as part of an agreement between Israel and the radical Palestinian movement Hamas.
On January 20, Israel released 90 prisoners as part of a deal with Hamas. The first batch of those Israel was to release included 78 West Bank residents and 12 East Jerusalem residents. Among them were 69 women and 20 men.
In turn, three female Hamas hostages were handed over to Israel. In total, under the terms of the truce, Tel Aviv should receive 33 hostages within 42 days.
West Bank under attack
Meanwhile, Israel continues its counter-terror operation in the West Bank. The Israel Defence Forces Press Service said on January 21 that Israeli security forces have launched a large-scale counter-terrorism operation near the city of Jenin. The operation was called “Iron Wall” and began with UAV strikes on infrastructure, after which Israeli security forces entered the town.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Israel’s operations in Jenin were destroying basic infrastructure and jeopardising people’s safety and well-being.
